Legendary bodybuilder Ed Corney passes away

Very sad news to start the new year today as legendary bodybuilder Ed Corney has died at the age of 85.

Ed Corney was born on 9 November 1933 and passed away on 1 January, 2019.

According to his grandson, Ed suffered a brain aneurysm on Christmas Day and battled for another week until he passed away.

Ed Corney was born in Hawaii and as many in his time admired bodybuilders such as Steve Reeves, Abbye “Pudgy” Stockton and George Eiferman.

After witnessing these fantastic athletes, the bodybuilding life impressed Corney and he went on to start training.

Ed did not start competing at a young age, he in fact competed for the first time at the age of 33.

Corney entered and won his inaugural contest, the Mr. Fremont (as in Fremont, California) in 1967. He probably holds the record for most guest posings at this event at about two dozen! Wins in 1968 include Mr. Heart of California, Mr. Northern California and Mr. Golden West.

Ed Corney became a household name when he made a number of appearances in the very popular film Pumping Iron. It was in this film the world witnessed the majestic and perfect posing routines of the great Ed Corney.

Till today, we have never seen a bodybuilder transition between poses such as Ed Corney.

After retiring from the sport in 1989 after being a regular competitor, Ed Corney made a return in 1994 to compete in the Master’s Olympia 60+. Ed won in 1989 and in 1990. Corney competed for the last time in 1998 at the Arnold Classic.

In 1999, Corney suffered a heart attack while undergoing shoulder replacement surgery. A blood thinning medication that was given to him to treat the heart attack caused him to suffer two strokes. After a short period in a coma and some time using a wheelchair, Corney fought his way back to health.

We will miss Ed Corney very much as he was one of our favorite bodybuilders of all time.

Evolutionofbodybuilding.net sends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ed Corney.